Manifesto

Final Manifesto

Promotional material

For my promotional material I made different cards using different colours, fonts and patterns, to follow on from the theme that everyone is different and prefers different things.

Documentation of final manifestation

For my final manifestation I created three kitchen utensils where the user makes the handle to fit them and how they want to use it. The handles were each created by a different person. You can clearly see each handle is quite different depending on hand size, shape and how they hold it. After they were completed each user said they were really comfortable to use. 

I also created packing for these utensils, naming the brand "yourtensil" to emphasise the idea of personal use within the brand and product.

This manifestation backs up the ideas in my manifesto as it clearly shows how incorporating the user into the design process to develop a products that it customised to the users preferences can result in a successful product.

Plan for manifestation 

I though it may be a little challenging to develop a new customisable iPhone, so Im planning on using kitchen utensils. I think this will be an effective approach as kitchen utensils are another everyday product that are used by everyone, and again made for one size to fit all. I will create a set of kitchen utensils, where the end user will be part of the design process by creating the handle themselves to fir their own hand. This way the utensil will be customised to the individual and work exactly how they want it to.

First Draft Manifest 

Manifestation ideas

The first thing that inspired me was the iPhone. A product that is exactly the same physically for everyone. While the content on the screen is customisable. It is assumed that all the millions of end users like the same colours, and have the exact same shaped hands. While the white and black options are neutral they probably don't appeal to everyone. Also I know for a fact many people find iPhones uncomfortable to hold, depending on hand size. "too small, too big". It just really isn't a one size fits all product. I wanted to somehow use the idea of such a mass produced product and redevelop it in a way that would have more influence from a specific end user, so that is suits the individual rather than attempting to satisfy the mass all at once.

Manifesto ideas

While I think this aspect of randomness within product design would create more original and "special" products to the individual, I believe in terms of the individual it is important for the end user to be part of the design process in order for a product to be developed with the end user in mind and how the product can be made to suit the specific user. The key idea is that one size does not fit all, and we should not assume all users want the same thing out of a product. This should be considered in terms of aesthetics, functionality and ergonomics. Users should be able to have the final say with these aspects of design in order to develop products for specific users to suit them specifically and their needs and wants. This also means that no two products would be the same, and allows users to express their identity more uniquely. 

Key ideas 

Manifesto

One size does not fit all

The end user, the customer, should complete design

Everyone is different, people use products in different ways suited to who they are and how they live

The design process is not complete until the user is satisfied with it. Design should incorporate the idea that the consumer is part of the design process and has the final say on the design and how it works.

Whether it be how an item of clothing looks or is worn, or a utensil crafted to specifically fit the users hand

Customizability

Make it personal

View the consumer as a co designer

Mass customized products

Mass customization

Identity and personal preference

Laser printing

One size does not fit all

You are designing for people not the approval of other designers

Respect the individual, more than the mass

Make life easy

DO not finish your design; let the consumer the co designer

People strive to stand out, let them do so

Embrace randomness

Empower individuals

Never underestimate the perception of colour The consumer completes the design [process 

Initial ideas

My first thoughts for this project and my manifesto stemmed from my previous projects looking at identity and the individual. I think it is sad that so many products are mass produced and all the same. No one really has an origional product. This prevents the opportunity of true individual expression, using products that reflect us. While we can and do use products to express who we are, given the restrictions of mass produced copies of each other, we can only be so different to each other. 

I think design should attempt to incorporate an aspect of randomness and individuality to product design, where every product in a product line are slightly different to each other, whether it be multiple colours, different shapes or complete customisability.